DVDDecrypter 3.1.5.0 timecode patching

[RB]

Hi,

I see there's a new option to patch the timecode in the ripped VOBs/M2V to 00:00:00:00 to get the chapters imported correctly. But, it would have been much better to save the chapter information files with the correct offset applied instead. Reason: at least in Maestro, the audio will not retain the original delay when remuxing AC3 and the patched M2V (the time codes of video and audio need to match or it will set audio delay to 0 ms no matter what).

Anyway, you can always temporarily reset the video time code in Maestro to whatever you want, import the chapters and set time code back to original.

[LIGHTNING UK!]

You can actually kinda do both.
Right click on a pgc/angle within the tree in IFO mode and you'll see an option to create an information file.
In the box that pops up, you can enter an offset for the time - ie 00:59:59:00

That will do the chapter files how you wanted them.

Either way, I still prefer the GOP patching and I've had no bad reports back yet.

[RB]

Ah, missed that! Thanks. But, how do I find the offset in DVDDecrypter? I couldn't find an option that tells me the existing video time code...

[LIGHTNING UK!]

You look in DVDMaestro itself.
All the films I tested came out to 00:59:59:00
I'm guessing thats the standard?!

[RB]

I have seen other time codes, such as very strange ones like 02:59:11:01. And besides that, it would be more convenient to have the chapters file ready to import at the time you start remuxing in Maestro instead of having to go back into DVDDecrypter and save the chapters file with the correct offset :)

And THANKS for a great tool!

[jarthel]

This is my request! Thanks :)

jayel

[jarthel]

just a thought
-------------

Does this patching affect the timing of the subtitles?

Thanks

Jayel

[LIGHTNING UK!]

No idea. Try it and let me know :)

[dpcpro]

It would be nice if DVDDecryptor showed the current timecode of the .m2v file so that we can create the chapter file prior to importing into DVDMaestro.

Also, users should be allowed to adjust the format of the timecode offset, for example there have been many movies I've done which have a timecode with a semi-colon like the following: 00:59:58;00. The only option in Decryptor is HH:MM:SS:FF. This should be an easy fix and would eliminate the need for ChapterXtractor.

This program is da BOMB.
Good work.

dpcpro

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Actually, this changes depending on what soft of file you are outputting.

Ive made the program accept the format in which the file is written.
So if the program wants chapters as timecodes, it asks for a timecode. If it wants it as a number of frames, you enter a number of frames.
The Maestro one should be perfect as I developed it whilst importing!
You should just be able to do a copy and paste from one window to the other.

[dpcpro]

Copying and pasting is another step (even though it's minimal).

It would be a HELPFUL feature, if you could add some type of time format option that way a Maestro .chp file can be saved with the correct timecode format to match .m2v file (hh:mm:ss;ff).

Video files that I've imported into Maestro sometimes use this format (hh:mm:ss;ff).

I see that the Scenerist chapter option uses this format (hh:mm:ss;ff), but that would require an extra step of me opening the file and typing the text "$Spruce_IFrame_List" which could be easily inserted by your application.

How about showing the current .m2v timecode?
How about adding the ability to open IFO and/or VOB files from the hard drive?

What do others think about adding these features?

Thanks

dpcpro

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Im not sure I follow you here.

Maestro is only going to want one sort of timecode format - I doubt VERY much that it changes. Its an application thing, NOT something that changes per M2V file.

DVDMaestro uses HH:MM:SS:FF
That is the way the chapter file my program creates is layed out. It also sticks the iframelist thingy bit at the top for you so you just need to import it.

I dont think its so hard to import the m2v (if you choose not to patch it) and look at the offset and then create the info file. All you're doing is changing the order in which you do things.

As for reading vobs and stuff off the hdd, thats pretty much never going to happen. People use ISO mode now if they want to 'backup' a disc to their hdd. The way in which the program works means reading from a hdd isnt possible as it reads sectors from the disc and not files.

[dpcpro]

No you're not following:

Sometimes (it depends on the .m2v) the timecode in Maestro is displayed as hh:mm:ss;ff, therefore in order to import chapters successfully the chapter file format must also be in hh:mm:ss;ff.

I have done this many times and currently use ChapterXtractor to import chapters successfully. It has a format option which can be modified (that's where I insert the semi-colon). If the numbers aren't all 0's like 00:00:00:00 or 00:00:00;00 then an offset must also be specified.

I will post some pictures when I get a chance.

dpcpro

[LIGHTNING UK!]

I still cant see any logical reason for a program to work with two formats of timecodes.

hh:mm:ss:ms one minute and then hh:mm:ss;ff the next!

It just seems stupid!

[RB]

Hmm, could it be that the semicolon indicates to Maestro a "drop frame" timecode? Don't ask me what that actually means, it does not mean that frames were being dropped from the stream, just a special timecode. CCE has an option to create "drop frame" timecodes.

[tyee]

Yes, the semicolon does mean drop-frame and yes Maestro must see it in the chapter's timecode to properly import.

Drop frame is used in the NTSC world to indicate TRUE actual time. Non-drop timecode does not indicate TRUE time because the timecode format is based on hh.mm.ss.ff. Note that the "ff" is for frames and it does not indicate hundreths of frames, which 29.97 fps NTSC needs for no error. This timecode was based on 30fps way back when we had black and white only TV. Drop-frame timecode does not drop any video frames but drops two frame COUNTS (frame 00 and 01) every minute for the first 9 minutes then does not drop these two counts at the tenth minute. Therefore 18 frames are dropped every ten minutes and this enables the timecode to display the TRUE actual running time only at these 10 minute intervals.

Just a quick tutorial if someone ever wondered about the details.

tyee

[dpcpro]

Originally posted by LIGHTNING UK!
I still cant see any logical reason for a program to work with two formats of timecodes.

hh:mm:ss:ms one minute and then hh:mm:ss;ff the next!

It just seems stupid!

Keep your 'It just seems stupid' comments to yourself. As a user of DVDDecryptor I DON'T appreciate your insults when I'm just trying to make a suggestion.

You should start listening to your users, I have already explained it a few times. Maestro does need the chapter file in this format (hh:mm:ss;ff) sometimes!

dpcpro

[RB]

And you should keep your rants to yourself. How much did you pay for DVDDecrypter? ... Ah, it's even freeware!

[VinnySem]

Originally posted by LIGHTNING UK!
I still cant see any logical reason for a program to work with two formats of timecodes.

hh:mm:ss:ms one minute and then hh:mm:ss;ff the next!

It just seems stupid!

Have you ever used DVDMaestro? Have you ever imported a m2v file transcoded with CCE into DVDMaestro? If you have, you would see that dpcpro is in fact correct. A semi-colon is used in that position.

I expect more open-mindedness from forum moderators, and I find your response far from that. dpcpro was merely making a suggestion to enhance a feature of your application. Most application developers accept suggestions with open arms. But you discounted his ACCURATE information as nonsense and "stupid."

[RB]

Guys, it's likely because English is not your native language. Neither is it mine, but Lightning's comment was of course towards Maestro in the sense that it seems stupid that an authoring program would use two different formats of time codes and he was merely talking to himself. And he's in the UK where all we have is PAL and PAL doesn't use that kind of time code so he likely has never seen it.

[VinnySem]

Originally posted by RB
Guys, it's likely because English is not your native language.
Both dpcpro and I are both in the United States. I've corresponded with him extensively in the DVDRHelp.com forums. I can assure you that English (albeit not the Queen's) is my first language.

Let's let Lightning answer for himself what he meant.

And you should keep your rants to yourself. How much did you pay for DVDDecrypter? ... Ah, it's even freeware!
So, freeware precludes making constructive comments and suggestions for improvement?


I can see this thread is going nowhere but towards insults and idiotic remarks, so I think I'll leave off and move on.

[LIGHTNING UK!]

What RB said is exactly correct.
Of course ive imported chapter files into Maestro, but as he said, im from the UK and therefore have PAL.
Again the 'it just seems stupid' comment was aimed at the program not you! Im not so blunt as to insult someone like that!

Now that I know there is a use for a Maestro file using the semicolon, I'll add it to the list. I just needed to know HOW and when it would use it. Mentioning Drop frame or NTSC in the first place would have done just that and saved us all a lot of trouble.

[raistlin2k]

Originally posted by jarthel
just a thought
-------------

Does this patching affect the timing of the subtitles?

Thanks

Jayel

No, it doesn't, but it would be really nice if it could do so, so no need for time-patching in VobSub, which is sometimes confusing, since VobSub displays only Cells, not chapters.

Thanks
Raist

P.S. I really like the stream-processing-save-option. THANKS, Lightning_UK. What do you think about an option to split the ripping automatically into 2 or 3 parts, chapter-wise?

[raistlin2k]

Just want to repeat my question:

Would it be possible to reset the time-codes not only in the chapter-file, but also for the Subtitles? (optionally)

Because, as alread mentioned, VobSub knows only Vobs & cells, no chapters, which is sometimes confusing, when the cell nr matches not the chapter number.

Thanks for attention
Raist

[LIGHTNING UK!]

I dont know anything about subtitles.
Perhaps DoItFast4U has this functionality already?! Who knows?! (well... Eyes`Only might!)